Lewis River Projects
Shoreline Management Plan
Pacificcorp
Skamania, Clark, Cowlitz Counties, WA
The Lewis River Projects - Merwin (Project No. 935),
Yale (Project No. 2071), and Swift No. 1 (Project No.
2111) are existing, federally licensed hydroelectric
projects, owned and operated by PacifiCorp. Over the
period of the past licenses, increasing
development and competing uses for
resources at the Projects pointed to
the need for a clearly defined,
comprehensive and consistent
management strategy for the Projects’
shorelines during the term of the
pending licenses.
Based on our experience with shoreline management plans across the country, PacifiCorp selected Kleinschmidt to assist in developing an SMP for the Lewis River Projects in 2007. Kleinschmidt is acting as facilitator, primary SMP author and regulatory advisor to PacifiCorp. Kleinschmidt is also assisting PacifiCorp in developing a permitting program for shoreline uses at the reservoirs. The process began by educating a variety of stakeholders and interests groups as well as the public on the need for comprehensive shoreline planning and PacifiCorp’s intent to develop an SMP for the Projects through a series of outreach meetings. Kleinschmidt subsequently developed the SMP using input from the outreach meetings, information gained from the existing stakeholder groups, local, state and local regulatory agencies and other public comments while integrating PacifiCorp’s resource management and project operation objectives.
The SMP will provide a comprehensive, forward looking plan for managing the Projects’ shorelines. The plan considers PacifiCorp’s operations and stewardship responsibilities, the FERC license requirements, public access and use, and the need to proactively manage future growth and changing use patterns; while managing the environmental, cultural and socioeconomic resources entrusted to PacifiCorp.
For more information contact Jay Maher.